School-based traineeship program

Head Start is a new education pathway that provides secondary school students with the opportunity to complete their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) alongside paid on-the-job training that leads to a vocational qualification.

It is designed to give students the confidence, capabilities and skills that employers in growth sectors, such as early childhood education and care, are looking for and positions them to be ready to stand out in the workforce.

The Head Start Apprenticeship Traineeship Program recognises that students learn in different ways, have different passions and can empower them to make their own career choices.

Guidance and support:

• Career planning advice from the school career practitioner
• A Head Start pathway plan tailored to the specific needs of the student and the employer
• One-on-one support from a Head Start coordinator to keep students on the right track
• Quality-assured training through a sector specialist training provider, Selmar Institute of Education

Career and education prospects:

• A VCAL or VCE certificate
• Completion of a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification
• Payment of a fair training wage
• A supported school-based traineeship pathway with on-the-job experience into a career in an essential sector

• A committed trainee matched to your early learning centre
• One-on-one support from the Head Start Coordinator who will provide a single point of contact to ensure you a hassle-free onboarding of your selected trainee
• A trainee will be supported through their CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care coursework

• Quality training and practical placement observations conducted by dedicated trainers from Selmar Institute of Education
• An opportunity to build and train employees to meet the needs and standards of your business and improve retention

The traineeship pathway will be tailored to provide each student with the time and resources to complete their secondary school studies, vocational training and on-the-job training comfortably.

Depending on the requirement of the employer, it is expected that at a minimum students will undertake 13 hours per week of paid employment within an early childhood education workplace.

Eligibility Criteria

Students can commence within the Head Start program if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Enrolled in a Head Start participating secondary school
• Maintaining minimum school attendance
• Behaviour, maturity and keen interest to work in the early childhood education sector
• Approval granted from school to commence program

The early childhood education and care sector is a booming sector with high job demand for skilled, passionate educators ready to make a difference in the lives of young children.

With Selmar, students can work towards completing a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification and gain on-the-job experience working within an early learning centre.

Once qualified, there are a range of different roles that graduates can pursue including; an educator, kindergarten assistant, outside school hours educator and nanny/in-home carer.

View more job outcomes

When studying with Selmar, learners are supported every step of the way to succeed in their learning journey. We provide various types of support to assist learners to achieve their study and training goals. This includes:

• Dedicated trainer support
• Intuitive online portal to complete coursework
• Online group study support sessions
• Language support if English is your second language
• Literacy and numeracy support
• Study tips and support

Learn more about the support we provide